IE 241 

G8 T9 
I Copy 1 



E R M O N 



DELIVERED AT 



^^ ^^ii©W(i)iLa)9 



SEFTEMBEM Wh, A. D, 1S21» 



AS A THIBtJTE OF RESPECT TO THE MEMORf OF TfiOSE WHO WERE THERlS 
SLATN, CNTIIE TAT/.L SIXTH OF SEPTIiluBEii, A.D. iTSlc 



By TIMCTBY TUTTLE, 

PASTOR OF THE UNITED CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN GROTON» 



NEW-LONDONj 

Clapp & Francis.. ..PRINTERS, 
4831, 



Groton, ^ept. 6, 1821. 
Itev. TIMOTHY TUTTLE, 

Sir, 

We the siibseribefs, having been appoint- 
ed a Committee to wait on you, and request tlie favor of a copy of your Ser- 
mon, delivered at Fort Griswold, this day, for publication, do hereby call 

iiijonr you, ^nd make the above requesL ^ 

^ -^ ' EBENEZER ATERY, 2d. ■ 

NOYES BARBER, 
JAMES MITCHEL, 
JOSEPH U.SMITH. 



•» 



>• 

^A 



2d, SAMUEL 1, Ig. 

" Jnd they mourned, and %vept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and 
for Jonathan his Son, and jor the people of the Lord, and for the house of 
Israel J because they were fallen by the sword J^ 



.N this cliapter, we have an account of the lameniatioii 
lof David, for Saul, and for those who fell witii him Saul 
had hitherto been successful, iu contending against the enemies 
of Israel ; but he was now about to experience a sad re/erse. 
He engaged in combat with the army of the Philistines ; and 
being overpowered, a large number of his forces, together with 
himself and his three sons, fell by the sword, upon the mountains 
of Gilboa. Wiien tidings of this event reached ;avi:l, (who 
was then in a state of exile.) he and the men thit were with 
him, " mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for anj, and 
for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the ^ord, and for 
the house of Israel ; because they were fallen by the sword.'' 
However unkindly David had been treated by Saul, he remem- 
bered not against him the ill treatinent, which he had received : 
he mourned for him with filial affection ; and, iu his mourning, 
he ma.nifested the disposition of a pious soul,— even that dispo- 
sition, which is enjoined in the command of riisist ; *»' love your 
enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate 
you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and perse- 
cute you/' 

This grief was heightened on account of the death of Jona- 
than ; for to him, he was peculiarly attached. We arc told, that 
*• the soul of Jonathan was knit with the. soul of David, aad 
Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Indeed, the bonds of 
their friendship were such, that no adversity could burst them 
asunJer. Well then might DavidN lament the death of a iaith- 
ful — a trifd friend. 

He lameiited also, on account of the loss of the many brave 
men, who fell in that disastrous battle, lliese were men of 
rtr-pcctabilitj. They were 'the professed people of the Lord | 
aud many of them, uiinonijUdiy, weie tr!.;ly pious. 

He mouined, on account of ttie loss, which his beloved coun- 
try had sustained, and the reproach^ which wa§ brought 



Ms nation. He well knew, that tlie eaemy would rejoice at tMsi 
disaster, and that the undrcumcised would triumph. 

On this mournful occasioa, he delivered one of the most pa- 
thetic pieces of elegiac poetry, which the world has ever be- 
held. ^< And David lamented with tliis lamentation over Saul, 
and over Jonathan his son : The beauty of Israel is slain upon 
fhy high places: liovy are the mighty fallen! Tell it not in 
0ath, publish it not in the streets of xVskelon ; lest the daugh- 
ters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircum- 
cised triumph. Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, 
neither let there be rain upon you, nor fields of offerings : for 
there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of 
Saul, as though he had not been anoiuted with oil. From the 
blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jo- 
laathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not 
empty. Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their 
lives, and in their death they were not divided. — Bow are the 
mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished 1'^ 

Thus he mourned the loss, which himself and his country had 
sustained. Yet he knew, that the hand of the Almighty had 
brought it to pass ; and he uttered not a murmuring word a^ 
gainst the Divine dispensation. 

To mourn when calamities befall us, or when our friends are 
removed far from us, by the hand of death, is natural to man- 
Ikiiid. On such occasious, expeiience proves, that it is difficultjp 
if not impossible, to restrain the flowing tear, and to check the 
rising sigh. To mourn, with cordial accpiiescence in the will 
of God, is hot indeed criminal : it is but an expression of the 
tender emotions of the soul, for the loss of those whom we sin^ 
cerely loved. Such was the expression of David and bis com- 
panions, when <^^ they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even :'' 
and such, Imay add, was the expression of the Lord of glory, 
at the tomb of Laaariis : <' Jesus wept.'^ 

In the text, we are ^ilso taught, that it is not improper to mourn 
over the calamities occasioned by the sword. 1 o discuss the 
question respecting either ilie. justice, or the propriety of war, 
is not my province, on the present occasion." 1 profess a re- 
ligon, " the w^eapons of whose warfare is not carnal.'^ I would 
JTather say to my country, (if the will of God be so) " peace be 
within thy walls, and prosperiiy witlini thy palaces." 

But hard must be the heart of that man, who pan listen to the 
noise of the battl^ ; who can hear the groans of/,wounded and 
the dying, and the cries of widows and of orphans ; who 
can behold garments rolled in blood ; and who can view re- 
gions depopulated, and. yiliages itud in ashes 5 withoitt lament- 



ing the calamities of war, and sl£;liiug over the ruins occasioned 
by this terrible destroyer. 

UavinsL* made these sieneral remarks. I now observe, that we 
have special reason to moitrn^ ichen men of uspfulneiis are 
taken awaij. David and big conipatiions mourned " for Saul, 
and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the Lord ;" be- 
cause the loss to the community appeared to be great. Men 
of uselulucss, wherever they exist, ought to possess the esteem 
and the affection ef their fellow beings : for, by their exertions 
i\^ do good, society at large is beneiiied ; the' happy effects of 
their influence are seen and acknowledged \ and, in many in- 
srancesjth^ good which they aeconipllsh, is extended to remote 
p^^SS^^ Frequently, an individual, by his own exertion, 
has been the favoured instvu rent of extcHsive good to his fel- 
low-men. Thus the •' Chiisiidu Researches" of Buchanan have 
been the means of arousing Ghriiitendom to missionary enter- 
prize. Thus also, while there remains a friend of degraded, 
insulted Africa, the name of Wiiberforce Avill live, in the grate- 
ful recollection of the work he has achieved. How great also 
is the good Avhich has already been done by those individuals, 
who have gone forth, to plant the standard of the cross in hea- 
than lands. Thousands yet unborn, will receive benefit from 
their toils, and labours, and [mvatioua. The names of Brain- 
ard, and Elliot, and Whitefield are imprinted, — not upon the 
records of fame 5 but in living characters, upon the heart of eve- 
ry friend to the cause of Kmanuel. I may add, while our na- 
tion exists, and its present form of government is maintained, 
t&e nfi me of Washington will be revered. Happy is thot peo- 
ple, among wiiora the iufiuence of such men -is felt. Happy are 
those, who live and act like them. 

When men of usefulness are taken away, there is reason to 
mourn, because their 2^67'SonaZ Za5o?/rs cease. While tJitey are 
particularly Ciualified to be eminently useful, their labours, seem 
to human view, to be greatly needed. Their wisdom aiid ex- 
perience are profitable to direct, in i\\Q accomplishment of every 
jmportant undertaking. But deatli puts an end to th'ir exertion, 
" In the grave whither they go, there is no work, nor device, 
nor knowledge, nor wisdom.'^ What tbey have d'o??^?, remains 
an imperishable mooament of tlieir worth : but they can do no 
more. 

There is reason also to mourn, because their example is no 
longrer exhibited ix} the view of their fellov.'-men. The exam- 
pie of men cf worth, and especially of men of piety, exerts a 
happy iaflaerice. it has a tendency to encourage and animate 
the faithful.— tG check llie licentious and profane, — to promote 



tlie order, peace, and welLbelng of society. It often speaks 
more forcibly than precept | and its influence is more command- 
ing. But when death closes the scene, the example of such is 
no longer exhibited. It does n(vt perliaps altogether cease in 
those ^ff''cf^j which have already been prodaced : but it ceases 
to be seen in tke life and conversation. 

There is also reason to inovirn, because their coiinsel can no 
longer be imp:u'ted. The council of men of wisdom, experience, 
integrity, and vnlue, is always useful, and always desirable, 
in the view of those who feel their own deficiency ; and by such 
it will be sought in every important undertaking,— it will be 
prized. The voice of inspiration has declared, " where no 
cownsel is, the people fall : but in the multitude of counsellors, 
there is safety.'^, 'he r^rno\iiVof wise counsellors is, therefore, 
greatly to be lamented. 

Again, when good men are taken away, there is reason to 
moani, because ! heir prayers in behalf of their fellow-men, and 
for tlie prosperity of Zion, cease to be offered. We are assur- 
edj that ^' the effectual fervent praye^'of a righteojus man avail- 
eth' raucli.*' Indeed, so long as the christian church remains ; so- 
iong as men are favoured with the volume of revelation, and its 
docaiues are believed, aiid its precepts are oheyed ; the irapor 
tance, nod the effect of prayer will be acknowledged. It is 
the channel of communication between heaven and earth, — the 
channel, by which blessings sre conveyed down to men. The 
liisiory of iiod's ancient people clearly proves, that it is the on- 
ly sure safe- guard of a nation. !No doubt, it has accompUsheil 
more, than could have been accomplished, by fleets and armiest 
It has been the means of shutting up the heavens, that they 
gave no rain : and again, of causing tlie rain to descend, and 
the earth to yield her fruit. It has called down spiritual bles- 
sings npon churches, societies, and individuals. These things 
have been acconipjished, — not because prayer is meritorious ; 
?>ut because God will be inquired of, for the blessings which he 
bestows. At the sentiments now advanced, infidelity may 
i^coff ; but we are sure, that the truty pious will pray : and their 
prayers will be the means of averting Divine judgments, and 
of obtaining Divine blessings. When therefore, praying men. 
are removed by death, their removal may be considered a pub- 
lic calamity. To die is indeed their gain : but the loss is oars. 
Thu« may we mourn, v/hen men of usefulness are taken away ; 
and. especially, when they aije removed by an untimf^ly death 5 
— ^.vhen their exit is atten<!ed by every aggravating circumstance, 
which can add poignancy to grief, — when man encounters man, 
and lays him weltering in his gore. 



iiut we sliouicl remember, that men are only iasthiments in 
the hand of God. to accomplish his holy purposes ; — that, thougli, 
when filled with rage, they " mean what they do for evil^" 
JHe means to accomplish some important end ; — that ^' He wor- 
keth all things after the counsel of his own will,*' not gives to 
taan aii account of his actions, or of his designs ;--^that iiis over- 
ruling providence extends from the highest angel, down to the 
fallpig of a sparrow, and the numbering cf our hairs. To us, 
his command is, ^'be still, and know that 1 am God." *'Is it 
not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own ? Is thine 
eye evil, because I am good ?^' In etery aiSictive scene, it be- 
comes us to say, iii the sincerity of our hearts, 'notour will, hut 
thine be done :" and if this be the language of. our heart*?, we 
shall rejoice in the recollection, that "the Lord God Omnipotent 
reigiieth ;" and that all things will be made to subserve his own 
purposes. 

I shall now apply the subject to the occasion, on which we ate 
agsemt>led. 



Men and Brethren^ 

Forty years have already passed away, shice the ground 
on which wc stand, was drenched with the blood of your fathers 
and jxiiiv brotliers. While these shores were invaded by the 
armed foe, they obeyed what they considered the call of duty. 
On this spot, they assembled, for the defence of their paternal 
heritage, their parents, their wives and children, and their coun- 
try's dearest rights : and here they bled and died. The most 
of those who fell, belonged to this Parish. Many of them were 
heads of families ; and some were members of the church. On 
that ever memorable day, Avell may it be said, respectihg this 
place, as it was said of llama of old, ^^There was a voice heard^ 
lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning."* It was the 
Biourning, not only of parents, and of brothers and sisters, but 
of widows and of fatherless children. This was indeed the most 
affecting scene, which this place ever witnessed. Many of my 
audience can call to mind the appalling sight, presented by the 
mangled dead, and by garments rolled in blood. A few indeed, 
who were actors in the scene, still survive to commemorate the 
day. God, in his holy providence, was pleased to spare them^ 
while their companions inarms, were taken. 

That was truly a day of calamity, not only to families, and 
to individu?ls, but to this Parish at large. Tiiey who fell, were, 
in general, men of usefulness : they were active members in so- 



eiety ; and by their loss, a blow was struck to ih,h Parisli, to re= 
cover froKi which, it vrill perhaps require years still to come. 

Such was the calaniity, which befel this place, and which we 
this day call to mlud. Your fathers and brotliers fell in defence 
of your rights and priyileges : they dietl to make their children 
and posterity free. To you, those rights and privileges, for 
which they contended, and which they so highly prized, have 
been transmitted. Through tiie shedding of their blood, you 
now possess a goodly heritage. They are gone to the eternal 
World, and to the presence pf him, who jadgeth righteously. 
While Vie call to mind the affecting manner, in which they were 
taken out of time , let us also look beyond all rnstramenls and 
second causes, and consider that it was brought to pass by the 
unerring counsel of Rim, who hath ^'his way in the sea, and his. 
path in the great waters, and whose footsteps are not known ;'^ 
but, "of whose throne, righteousness and judgment are the hab- 
itation.'" Let us remember alsop that the inheritance, which we 
now possess, aiid the privileges, which we now enjoy, are his 
gift, and, as such, we are required to use them. We are placed 
in this world, as stewards for God 5 and to Him, we must give 
an account af our stevfardsliip. 

\¥hatthen, ft may be enquired, is the course, which you 
ought to pursue ? In the possession of these gifts, which a (iod 
of mercy has bountifully bestowed, will you disregard the Giv- 
er, and forget your obligations to love and serve Him i^ Wili 
you forget, that He who gave, can also take away ; and that, for 
every abuse of his bounty, he is offended ? You doubtless claim 
to be considered, as lovers of your country. You esteem her in- 
stitutions ;— you regard her w^elfare. But who is the real patri- 
ot? Moses, Joshua, Havid, andDaniel were such. They did' 
not sound a trumpet before them, and boast of the services, which 
they had performed : nor did they serve their country, merely 
for the sake of honor or emolument. They were the friends of 
man. They loved, and they sought to promot'^. the cause of pi- 
ety. Without virtue, what would society be, but a band of ruf- 
fians, bouad together by no ties of tenderness, influenced by no 
consciousness of right, and subject to no restraint, but that of 
force. In what respect would it be superior, even to Sodam ? 
Every vice would prevail ; and jusiice and equity would be mio 
known. I do not hesitate to assert^ that the happiness of your 
country, nay, her very existence, as a nation of freemen, depends 
on the prevalence of virtue and piety. Reject the Bible, and cast 
off the restraints of moral obligation, and you open a broad pas- 
«ag<?, for the oyersprcndingof daikiiesS; and vice, and degolaticDj, 



and carnage. Man^, tlius situated, cannot be goverued, exceps 
by despotic power. AViio then is tiie rea,l lover of his country ? 
The man, vvho loves, and who practices virtue ; whose he?.rt 
is expanded with benevolence towards his iellow-men ; and 
who is infiuenced by the precepts of the Prince of peace, ^ 

While^ therefore, you admire the bravery of those men, 
•whose fall yoa this day commemorate, let their virtues and their 
piety be an example for you to follow. As they were men of 
usefulness, it becomes you to be like them. If they trusted in 
Wira, who ^' doeth according to Ms will, in the army of heaven, 
and among^the inhabitants of the earth ;'' if they were enlist- 
ed, as soldiers of the cross ; if the Gospel was the standLird of 
their faith and practice: if they " fought the good fight of faith;" 
if they looked to the glorious Saviour, as the Captain of their 
salvation, and their Leader through this world of conllict ; if 
they Jived a% ^» strangers and pilgrims on- the earth;" and 
«'* sought a better country, even a heavenly :" it is your duty 
10 " go and do likewise.'^' To the performance of this duty, 
your couutry^s welfare, your ovrn usefulness, the good of socie- 
ty, and your ov.n immortal interest, loudly call you. Let it 
not be said, that yon inherit the jjrivileges, but pot the virtues, 
of your lathers. Walk in the path of heavenly wisdom, and 
you will find it peaceful and pleasant.- Eemeiiiber also your 
own mortality. '^ onn. your dv\'eiling v. ill be the grays] your 
clothine!, the shroud ; anil worms "will be vour camnanioas. 
Like those, vrhose exit you now deplore, your bodies wii! soon 
be mingled with their native dust. The world, with all its 
busy cares, will be no concern of yours : and nothing perhaps 
but your name engraven on the tomb-stone, vrill inform future 
generations, that you once lived on earth. 

But by tiearchangePs voice, your sleeping dust will hereafter 
, be aw'aked. You will behold the 1 ord of g:ory, -'levealed fiom 
lieaven, with his miirhty angels, in fiamins; fire." I'hen will you 
meet those, who here fell in battle, and with them, yea, with the 
assernbled universe, you will stand before the judgment seat ci 
Christ. i?o live oa earth, that you may then hear the plauuit, 
''Well done, good ajid faithful servants f emerye into the joy of 
ycur Lord." 



List of the Jfames 

<0P THOSE BRAVE HEROE^ WHO FELL AT FORT GRISWOLD 
SEPTEMBER 6th, '<^Si. 

BELONGING TO THE TOWN OF GROTOIs : 



William Led»-ard, I, 
Col. Cota'd't. 

Elijah Avenj, 
John Williams, 
iSlmeon Allim, 
&airmel Mlijn, 
Sixios Stanton, 
Ihibbard Barrows^ 
JVaihan 'Moorp, 
To lings Ledyardf 
Joseph LeiviSf. 
Jlcnrij JViUi'ims, 
MKvnezer Avenj, 
John L?ster. 
John filed man f 
ID x/iiel Avery, 
David Avery, 
Daniel Cliester, 
t!olomon dvery, 
Jasper Amnj, 
r.iifi'ia Avertj, 



ieut. Tlwrnas Avery, 
David Pei!:m»r, 
Siilvestei^ WahvQVtli, 
Fhilip Covll, 
Ezekiel JBailaj, 
Frederick Chester, 
David Seabaryr 
Henry Woodbrid^^e, 
Christ oph er WoodbHdge 
Mlnatkan Perkins, 
jMke Perkins, 
Luke Perkins, jr. 
Elisha Perkins, 
Asa Perkins, 
Simeon Perkins, 
Jdlm Brown, 
John P. BabcQckf 
Nathan Adams, 
Benoni Kinson, 
Samuel Hill, 
JS^athan Sholes. 



Joseph Mo.Xi:j , 
Thomas Starr, 
A^idiotcis Starr^ 
,Moses Jf'nei'. 
liiifns jHiiribut, 
Better Allyn. 
Benadam Allyn, 
Andreiv Billing!'-. 
ySiineon Morgan, 
Patrick Ward., 
Christopher Avenj 
Jonas Lester, 
Edvurd Mills. 
Walt Lester, 
Ti'Omas Miner, 
Andreiv Baker, 
Eldredge Chester, 
Solomon Tift, 
Joseph Widger, 
Thomas Lamb. 



BELONGING TO NEW-LONDON. 



Peter Richards, 
James Conisto'-Jc, 
Mich'Vf'd Ghapir.an, 
JahTi Holt, ^ 



Sannd BillingS) 
John Clark, 
John Wkitlesey, 
Stephen Whittlesey, 



E. Jones, 
Jonathan Butlei\ 
William Comsiock 
Wiliia'i:. Bolton, 



UELONOLNG TO STONlIiOTON. 



Enoch Sfanicn. 
T(ooma% fi'^VJi'ivn 
Daniel Stantoi-. 



John B'Mvgs, 
Ilenni ILls^u. 



NEGRCESif. 
tyamhn Lcitham. 
Jordan iVeeman, 



^RRAT 
«*'posteri(y. 



4~- la {]i^ 0t]i page IStli Ime, for '^^prosperitj'^ reatlj 



"X^i^. 





